Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 6

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792

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nize his superior ability and worth of character. and pay deference to his excellent qualities. . 1. democrat in principle and practice, he believes with a faith born of conviction in the equality and brotherhood of man. He is public spirited, liberal and charitable, ever ready to assist, with his purse or his pen. in any cause that promise- good to his fellowman or the public. A man of broad and comprehensive views, he looks upon the world as he finds it and is therefore corsery- ative rather than radical. The people of Watseka look upon him as an exemplary man and are proud to call him their own.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WATSEK.A.

The First National Bank of Watseka was or- ganized in the year 1870, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, the stockholders representing some of the best known and wealthiest citizens of the county. At the first election of officers Hon. Samuel Williams was chosen president, David McGill, vice president, and George C. Harrington, cashier. Not knowing whether the enterprise would receive immediate recognition by the public, the bank made its first office in the second story of the Willoughby building. However, meeting with unexpected favor, it was soon necessitated to seek more accessible and com- modious quarters and shortly erected a wooden structure. This building not proving adequate. the bank. in connection with the lodge of Odd Fellows, erected a building in 1875. This latter building was sold by the bank and in connection with the Masonic fraternity erected its present fine building.

During the financial panic of 1873, when most of the banks of the country were necessitated to close their doors, the First National Bank of Watseka kept open doors and honored every de- mand made upon it. It is recognized as one of the institutions of the county in which the people feel a just pride, --- solid and safe beyond ques- tion, and its management conservative enough to keep it so. The officers of 1000 are. David Mc- Gill. president, George H. Hamilton, vice presi- dent. George C. Harrington, cashier, and 11. 11. Uter and H. T. Riddell assistant cashier -. Its

PAST AND PRESENT OF

capital and surplus is over one hundred thou- sand dollars at the commencement of its thirty- seventh year, 1906.

JAMES O. FREEMAN.

James O. Freeman is an honored veteran of the Civil war and for years was a prominent farmer of Iroquois county but is now living re- tired in Milford, for his former toil brought to him: a competence sufficient to enable him to en- joy the comforts of life without recourse to fur- ther labor. He has lived in the county since 1852, having arrived here when a youth of ten years. His birth occurred in Warren county. Indiana, April 21, 1842. His father, George W. Freeman, was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, in July, 1818, and removed thence to Ohio and subsequently to Warren county, Indi- ana, where he met and married Miss Rebecca Hooker, a native of Ross county, Ohio. He be- gan farming in the Hoosier state and there cleared up a tract of land, which he converted into fertile fields, making his home thereon until 1852, when he came to Iroquois county, Illinois. The work of development, settlement and im- provement had scarcely been begun here, as is in- dicated by the fact that a part of the land was still in possession of the government. Mr. Free- man entered a claim in Stockland township of one hundred and sixty acres and began to culti- vate the hitherto wild tract, turning the first furrows in the fields and continuing the work of plowing, planting and harvesting until rich crops rewarded his efforts. In later years he re- moved to Columbia county, Oregon, where he joined a son and daughter and there he passed away in September, 1894. His wife died on the old homestead in Iroquois county, in February of the same year. The family of this worthy couple numbered three sons and three daughters and with the exception of one daughter all are yet living.

James O. Freeman was reared in the usual manner of farm lads in a frontier district and a common-school education qualified him for the work of life. He was only twenty years of age when, his patriotic spirit aroused, he offered his

services to the government and on the 9th of August, 1862, was enrolled as a member of Com- pany E. Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. The regiment was attached to the West- ern Army and he participated in the Tullahatchee campaign, the Vicksburg campaign, the battles of Jackson, Black river bridge and numerous others. Later he took part in the engagements at Mobile and at Fort Blakely, Alabama. He was wounded at Jackson's crossroads, this oc- curring from an accident, a comrade's gun dis- charging as he fell wounded by a shell. Mr. Freeman continued at the front until the war ended and he was mustered out with the rank of corporal at Galveston, Texas, July 22. 1865. He returned home with a creditable military record, for on many a hotly contested battle-field he had given proof of his loyalty and was equally faithful when on the lonely picket line or in the discharge of any military duty assigned him. The war ended, he returned home and resumed farm- ing.

Mr. Freeman was married in this county in February, 1868, to Miss Clara Hunter, a daugh- ter of S. P. Hunter, an old settler from Indiana, who was originally from Ohio. Mrs. Freeman was born in Warren county, Indiana, but spent the greater part of her girlhood in this county. Following their marriage they settled on a farm in Stockland township, commencing with forty acres. Mr. Freeman cultivated that and other lands and as his capital increased as the result of his industry and economy he added to his property until he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. On this he erected a comfort- able residence and good barn, put up a wind pump, set out an orchard and made the farm a productive place, well equipped in its various de- partments. There he successfully carried on the work of tilling the soil until 1901, when he rent- ed his land, purchased a residence in Milford and has since lived retired in the town. Unto him and his wife has been born but one child, Rosa Belle, who died in infancy.

Mr. Freeman's political position is never an equivocal one, as he has always stanchly sup- ported the republican party where state and na- tional questions are involved, while locally he votes independently. While on the farm he was elected and served for fourteen consecutive years

MR. AND MRS. J. O. FREEMAN.

Or THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

as supervisor and was a member of the compet apretty harvest poder tees on dla's and the poor farm, acting as chair - an Important man of the former for two or three years. Ile has also filled the office of township collecter. has been director and township school trustee for In Februar . 1884. Mr Crepes was Art ( four years, and in these various positions hi. manifested an unquestioned loyalty to the public unt theng have been born bir du Irer. 1.1 a, who was educated at Charge and is a graduate from the art department of the Drargy Ser- inary, is now the wife of W. S Malans, of Iter que township: Mand also attended schel n Unarga : Frank M. & attending the State ( m versity ; and Clara is in school at ( rescue tils. The children have thus been provided with ex cellent educational privileges. The family home is pleasantly and conveniently situated two and a half miles from Crescent City and is attractive by reason of its warm hearted hospitality. good. He also maintains pleasant relations with his old army commandes through Ins men- bership in Vennum post, No. 471. G. A. R. More than a half century has come and gone since he was brought to Iroquois county and as the years have advanced he has kept pace with the gen- eral growth in his business life and in his devo- tion to the public good. He has been a capable officer, a reliable and progressive business man and a citizen whose loyalty is today as marken as when he followed the old flag upon the bat- the-fields of the south.

FRANK A. CAVENEY.

Frank A. Caveney, filling the office of super- visor of Iroquois township, was born in Kendall county, Illinois, February 11, 1801. his parents being John L. and Esther ( Lincoln) Caveney. both of whom were from New York. They came to Illinois at an early period in the settlement and development of this state and both are now deceased. Two daughters of the family are yet living. Mrs. Edgar Harrown, a resident of Wat- scka, and Mrs. Mary E. Leonard, who is living in Mayfield. Washington.

Frank A. Caveney was educated in the com- mon schools and always followed farming. Hle bought his first farm, which consisted of eighty acres, in Crescent township, in 1891. but never lived there, the property being his father's old home place. He now has a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres in Iroquois town- ship, where he now resides, eighty acres in a second tract and fifty-three acres in a third tract. His hollings therefore aggregate more than three hundred acres and the land is rich and product- ive because of the care and labor which has been bestowed upon it. Mr. Caveney carries on gen- tral farming and stock-raising. Ile tills his fields according to the most modern methods and

In his political affiliation Mr. Caveney is a democrat, recognized as one of the local leader- of the party, and for five years he has done ef- fcetive service in behalf of the general welfare as supervisor of Iroquois township. He is also a member of the school board and there is no more stalwart champion of the cause of public instruction. \ gentleman of excellent personal worth, well liked by all who know him, he is regarded as one of the prominent residents of Iroquois township. He is also accounted one of its most successful agriculturasts, having so di- rectal his business interests that the legitimate outcome of labor is his and he is now a pros- perous farmer.

THOMAS M. GASTON

Thomas M. Gannon, of Middleport township. was born March 1. 1800, in Kankakee comes. his father. Thomas Gannon, entering land on both sides of the Kankakee-Iroquois county line. There his boyhood and south were spent upon a farm and when his parents removed to Kan- kakve he went to Chicago. His father and mother, however, died and lie buried at Kanka kre. There were three was in the family, the brothers of our subject being Robert 1. and William H. Gannon, who have in the west. He also has five sisters . Mrs. Julia Holland. Mrs.

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Ellen Lamm, Mrs. Margaret Arnitt, Mary and Mrs. Catharine Cleary.

As stated, Thomas M. Gannon went to Chi- cago when his parents removed to Kankakee, but on the Ist of March, 1900, he bought the land upon which he now lives. Here he is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising, handling cattle, hogs and sheep and shipping dressed meats to the Chicago market. He leases other land for pasture and has a convenient shipping point at Pittwood, only one mile from his home. His land is well adapted to grazing purposes and he keeps the farm well stocked, does his own butchering and by reason of his capable management, enjoys prosperity.

On the 13th of October, 1891, Thomas M. Gannon was united in marriage to Miss Jo- sephine Martin, whose death occurred August 17, 1898. There were two children of that mar- riage: Josephine, who died at the age of two years ; and Forest Glenn. On the Ist of March, 1900, Mr. Gannon was again married, his sec- ond union being with Miss Hattie McCue, and they have two daughters: Catharine, born Au- gust 7, 1904; and Marcella, born December 5, 1906.

Mr. Gannon lias a comfortable home and takes pleasure in country life. He is disposed to help a neighbor and is interested in the affairs of the county that is his chosen abiding place. Public-spirited, he is glad to be of use to his fellowmen in matters of citizenship and he votes with the democratic party but does very little campaign work, preferring to concentrate his energies on his business affairs, in which he is meeting with good success.

FRED WEBER.

Fred Weber, living retired in Buckley after long, close, successful and honorable connection with farming interests in Artesia township, where he still owns two valuable tracts of land, was born in Germany, July 23, 1833, and has therefore reached the seventy-third milestone of life's journey. Ile was reared to manhood in his native country and is indebted to its educa- tional system for the school privileges he en-

joyed. He was also trained to the work of the farm and remained in his native country until about twenty-five years of age, when the favor- able reports which he had heard concerning the new world and its advantages influenced him to seek a home on this side of the Atlantic. Ac- cordingly in 1858 he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and took passage on a sailing ship at Bremen, which six weeks later dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, reaching that port in June.

Mr. Weber did not tarry long in the east but came at once to Illinois, locating in Dupage county, where for a year or two he was employed by a friend whom he had known in the old coun- try. He continued to work as a farm hand by the month until after the inauguration of the Civil war. Many were the German-American citizens who responded to the call of the coun- try for aid and Mr. Weber was among the num- ber who flocked to the standard of the Union and fought in the defense of the stars and stripes on the battle-fields of the south. He enlisted August 23, 1862, as a member of Company I. One Hundred and Fifth Volunteer Infantry, the regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. For eight months he was ill and in the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee. Upon his recovery he joined a regimental train on de- tached duty engaged in guarding the railroads in Kentucky and Tennessee until the close of the war. He was then mustered out and honorably discharged in Chicago in June, 1865. He never faltered in his allegiance to the cause which he espoused and he deserves classification with those to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

Once more returning home Mr. Weber was employed at farm labor until 1867, when he came to Iroquois county. He purchased one hun- dred and twenty-four acres of land, of which forty acres had been broken and fenced and at once he began the task of further developing and improving this property. As his financial re- sources increased he added to the farm from time to time. He further made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in Dupage county in the spring of 1868 to Miss Dora Neiman, who was born and reared in Ger- many. The young couple began their domestic

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

life on the farm two miles cast of Buckley. Later Mr. Weber bought eighty acres adjoining and subsequently one hundred and eighty-two acres and for twenty-eight years he followed general agricultural pursuits there, erecting good build- ings and making all the substantial modern im- provements which go to facilitate the work on the farm. His time and energies were concen- trated upon the task of tilling the soil and caring for his stock until 1895, when he bought seventy acres of land. fourteen acres lying within the corporation limits of Buckley, while the remain- der adjoins the town. This constitutes a neat and well improved farm, upon which he makes his home. He started out in life not only empty- handed but in debt, but a resolute spirit and stal- wart determination have enabled him to over- come difficulties and obstacles, to make judicious investment and to work his way steadily upward. He has a valuable farm and good home and he has also won an honored name in his business life.

Mr. and Mrs. Weber are the parents of eight children, to whom three sons and three daugh- ters are yet living: Henry, who is engaged in business as a dealer in hardware and farm imple- ments in Buckley : William, who is married and resides on one of his father's farms; Ella. the wife of Professor John Schader, who is teaching in the German schools of Cincinnati, Ohio ; Min- nie, the wife of Fred Leetz, a partner with Ilenry Weber in the hardware and implement business in Buckley: Tillie, the wife of Rev. Theodore Blanken, a minister of the Lutheran church at Dillsboro, Indiana : and Fred II. W., who is now a student in the German schools at Edison, Illi- nois. Those who have passed away are: Louis. who died at the age of two years : and Mary, who became the wife of Albert Ecker, at Woodworth. Illinois, and died two years later.

Politically Mr. Weber was formerly a repub- lican but now votes the democratic ticket. Ile has served as highway commissioner for several years and as school trustee for a number of years. yet has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to do his public service as a private citizen. He was born and reared in the Lutheran faith and has always stood for advancement and progress in those lines which lead to material, intellectual and moral develop-

ment. He has been greath interested in the changes which have transformed Iroquois county from a wilderness and swamp into one of the richest agricultural counties of this great state and he has borne his full share in this task. Is the years passed by he gathered a comfortable competence from his labors and for eleven years has now lived retired in Buckley, enjoying the fruits of his former diligence.

GUST MAURITS.

A well improved farm of eighty acres on see- tion 15. Beaver township, constitutes the home of Gust Maurits, who has improved and made the property what it is today, for when it came into his possession it was still in its wild and unimproved state. He is a native of Sweden, born in 1852, a son of John and Anna ( Poultes ) Maurits, who were farming people of that coun- try, and the father held public office there.

Mr. Maurits had heard favorable reports con- cerning the opportunities which were here of- fered to young men of ambition, and when a youth of seventeen years he decided to try his fortune in the new world. and accordingly. in 1869, took passage on a sailing vessel bound for American shores, where lived two uncles, who had emigrated to this country from Sweden. Upon arriving in the United States. Mr. Maurits at once made his way to Iroquois county and rented a farm in Beaver township. which he conducted for five years. He had prac- tical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on a business of this character, so that his labors brought to him the sum which in 1880 enabled him to purchase the farm which is his present place of residence. As time has passed he has made added improvements on the place. In 1896 he built a fine barn, while two years ago he erected a modern country residence, containing eight rooms, which is supplied with every con- venience and comfort for the family. He has laid many rods of tiling on his land, thus mak- ing his fields very productive, so that he annually harvests good crops as a result of the care and labor which he bestows upon them. In addition to his farm work, he is likewise engaged in rais-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

ing cattle, horses and hogs, which. when placed upon the market. command high prices.

In 1806 Mr. Maurits was happily wedded to Miss Minnie Johnson, who was born and reared in Beaver township, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children : Earl Sigs- bee ; lone Caroline, who is attending school : and Ruby Irene and Emma Orpha Medora, at home. Mr. Maurits gives his political support to the republican party, for his study of the important events of the day has led him to believe its prin- ciples are most conducive to good government. He holds membership in the Swedish Methodist church of Beaver.

Mr. Maurits took up his abode in a strange land when but a youth but in the years which have since come and gone he has demonstrated his ability to rank with the best citizens of America, and his well improved farm in its neat appearance, indicates that his life has been a success.

JUDGE STEPHEN G. BOVIE.

In the interpretation and execution of the laws, as attorney and county judge, Stephen G. Bovie was long accorded a position of distinction in connection with the Iroquois county bar, and the strength and breadth of his intellect and powers made him well fitted for leadership in the public life of the community. In his political work in those days which gave inception to the repub- lican party, he was the friend and co-laborer of Abraham Lincoln, David Davis and others who attained national fame, and with whom he was also associated at a period when the practice of law meant "riding the circuit" in order to engage in the trial of cases at the different centers in which the court convened.

Coming to Iroquois county in 1853. Judge Bovie was a factor in the life of the county at the most dramatic, picturesque and thrilling epoch in the history of the state. He was born in Liv- ingston county. New York. November 21. 1827. a son of John E. and Amy ( Gardner) Bovic. The father a farmer by occupation spent his en- tire life in the east and both he and his wife passed away there many years ago. In the com-

mon schools of his native county Judge Bovie received his early mental discipline, pursuing his studies through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he assisted in the labors of the farm. In early manhood, having made marked progress in the work of the schoolroom, owing to his special aptitude in his studies, he engaged in teaching in his native county, and his naturally strong intellect prompted him to a professional rather than an agricultural life, so, while con- ducting his classes in the schoolroom, he utilized his leisure hours for the study of law and follow- ing his admission to the bar. engaged in the practice in the east for several years. Admitted in Monroe county. New York. in 1851. he re- mained there as a member of the legal fraternity until 1853, when he came to Watseka. Here for a year he engaged in teaching school. when, be- lieving there was favorable opportunity for law practice, he entered actively upon the work of the profession for which he had prepared and for many years was regarded as one of the strongest practitioners of Iroquois county. In the un- settled condition of Illinois at that time, it was necessary that the attorneys should travel the circuit with the court and thus Judge Bovie passed from one county seat to another in the prosecution of his profession, going at various intervals to Kankakee. Grundy, La Salle, Will. Iroquois, Champaign and Ford counties. On this circuit he often met Abraham Lincoln, David Davis and others who afterward became famous in state and national politics.

In 1856 Judge Bovie was made a delegate to the convention at Bloomington, Illinois, where was organized the republican party of the state, and he remained throughout his remaining days a stalwart champion of its principles. He was master in chancery at Watseka for several years and in 1880 he was elected county judge to fill out the unexpired term of Judge M. B. Wright. decoased. In his law practice he enjoyed a liberal and distinctively representative clientage, by reason of his ability to successfully solve in- tricate legal problems and present his canse in the strong, clear light of reason. correctly ap- plying the principles of law and seldom failing to win a verdict favorable to his clients. L'pon the bench his decisions were so entirely the em- bodiment of judicial wisdom and knowledge that

OF THE

Мем. А. А. Воне

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

at the republican conventions of 1882 and t&So he was nominated by acclamation and at cach election received increased majorities, running far ahead of his ticket. His decisions were models of judicial soundness and his compre hensive legal knowledge commanded the respect of the bar and of the general public. His private practice too was extensive and his attention to the duties of his office was unremitting. Much important legal work aside from that of the courtroom was entrusted him and he seemed to possess a special faculty for directing the settle- ment of estates with as little loss as possible. It is remarkable how few were his decisions from which an appeal was taken and how little litiga- tion grew out of the vast business that passed through his court. In him the widows and or- phans of the county found a trustworthy advisor and true friend and the assistance which he rendered them in a legal capacity was often of the utmost value in their affairs.

Happy in his home life. Judge Bovie was mar- ried in 1852, in Monroe county, New York, to Miss Julia A. Symson, a native of the Empire state, and they traveled life's journey in most congenial companionship until his death, which occurred November 30, 1888, after a brief illness.

Judge Bovie was a prominent and honored member of the Masonic lodge at Watseka and his brethren of the craft had charge of the funeral services held here prior to the removal of the remains to his old home at Rochester, New York, for interment. The news of his death caused a sensation of profound regret through- out Iroquois county, for no man within its bor- ders had a wider acquaintance or enjoyed more general popularity. There were few indeed with whom he did not have more or less personal ac- .quaintance and the news of his demise brought to the vast majority a sense of personal bereave- ment : to the community, where he was a valued citizen : to his client- who recognized in him a trustworthy counselor and advisor; to the windows and orphans, whose cause he had so often befriended ; to his close personal acquaint- ances, who cherished his friendship; and to her upon whom the wealth of his love and attention was bestowed. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Bovie has continued to make her home in Watseka, owning a beautiful home on West Wal

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 6

Author: Kern, J. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 792

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792